Chapter 19 – Preparation and Departures - Day 33
Happy 2015! Now that the holidays are finished I will try and get back on track. Plan is a chapter a week. We shall see.
This is primarily a transition chapter and time to say farewell to a certain drow cleric. She is a great character but I always found her too weak to keep her around in BG1. But have no fear; she will definitely reappear down the road. I always thought she was integral in BG2.
Jeral's lungs were on fire as he struggled to keep from taking a breath. Grimly he held on and held on until he could not take it anymore. He started seeing stars and knew he had mere seconds until he blacked out. He sat up quickly and surfaced taking a deep lungful of air as he did so.
"Seventy one seconds that time. Boo says that is more than even Minsc can do." Jeral smiled as he looked at the ranger and his furry companion. Minsc was sitting on one of the benches in the bath house located in the basement of the Friendly Arm Inn. The inn was built over a natural hot spring so hot water was readily available in deep stone soaking tubs. He had just finished bathing when Jeral came down for his soak. Minsc sat with a towel wrapped around his waist and a second draped over his shoulders. Jeral eyed the large man and shook his head as he eyed the massive barrel chest and broad shoulders of the ranger. The man was covered with thin hair across his chest and shoulders. The fur made him look like a bear as much as a man. Minsc was drying off his hamster with a third towel while Jeral continued enjoying his soak.
"Minsc, may I ask you a personal question."
"Of course Jeral, we are comrades in arms. You may ask anything."
"Were your parents warriors? They must have been quite strong to give birth to one such as you."
Minsc hung his head and took a deep breath as Boo squeaked in his ear.
"My parents were not warriors. My father was a wood worker and my mother was the local healer for my village. They both died when Minsc was very little."
"I am sorry for your loss. If I may ask, were they as large as you are?"
"Oh no, my father was little like you and my mother was no larger than Dynaheir." Jeral could only shake his head and smile to himself. Minsc was one of the very few who could call Jeral little given his size and Jeral could only feel sorry for the poor mother who gave birth to Minsc for he assuredly was a large baby.
"Minsc must get dressed. We are all still meeting for a mid day meal are we not?"
"That is right Minsc. See you there." Jeral laid back and luxuriated in the warm water. After his first week away from Candlekeep Jeral had a greater appreciation for regular bathing and made sure to avail himself of every opportunity. After a few more minutes he toweled off and returned to his room. Once there he dressed in his finest clothes, which really meant his only remaining set of clothes without blood stains. The dark blue tunic draped over black pants and black boots. Feeling strangely secure Jeral left his armor, long bow and short sword in the room. Tucking one dagger into his right boot and wearing a second tucked into his belt under his shirt Jeral made his way downstairs. Secure or not, it was foolish to go anywhere without a weapon of some sort.
Jeral joined the others at the table. Dynaheir and Imoen had ordered a large lunch for the six of them and Jeral arrived just after the food did. Endar Sai had quickly recovered from his captivity and had departed early in the morning. He joined a caravan of merchants headed to Baldur's Gate and pledged that he would be a useful ally should they ever make it that far north. Minsc dug into his food with gusto as the others started to speak of their plans.
"A good day to you Jeral. We were just speaking of our plans."
"Well nice to see you waited for me," Jeral quipped. Dynaheir had the good grace to blush and look somewhat ashamed before she continued.
"Uh yes, well time is a wasting. As I said, before we continue to pursue to the bandits we have need of a return trip to Beregost. We must take a step back to prepare ourselves to move forward."
"I could not agree more. Ajantis needs his armor repaired; Minsc can have that full plate adjusted to fit him, Officer Vai of the Fist needs our report and you can shop for more magic spells from the wizard who resides to the west of town. In fact, I suspect the Fist will likely reward us for our success against the bandits. So why don't all of you go and do not forget to sell that enchanted shield we picked up. Viconia and I can remain here and will await your return. I want to try out my new longbow and I can spend some time sparring with the guards here to pass my time before you return."
Dynaheir was clearly shocked that Jeral wanted the group to separate. Jeral continued the conversation as if there was no tension amongst the members of the group over the presence of the drow.
"Before you depart I have a few things to hand out. I spent some time trying to determine the value of some of the treasures we found. I sorted out most of them on my own and the good innkeeper helped on the rest. Minsc, these gauntlets make one an even more effective fighter by making each and every attack more precise. I can think of no one more worthy." Minsc nodded his thanks and returned to eating, the carcass of an entire roast chicken on the plate in front of him.
"This wand can induce extreme terror in anyone targeted. Dynaheir, I think you can best use this." The wand slid across the table to her and she smiled contentedly as she rolled the wand around in her hands examining the fine detail etched into the wand.
"Ok, there is also quite a bit of coin for each one of us as well. Each one of us gets 800 gold. I sold the jewels this morning and got a more than fair price." Viconia's eyes widened as she looked at the six heavy sacks on the table.
"Am I to understand archer that I am to share in the spoils equitably?"
"Of course Viconia. You fought with us, bled with us, and saved the lives of a few of us. You earned this as much as any."
The snort of disgust forced Jeral to make eye contact with Ajantis. The man's handsome face was twisted in anger as he spoke, "Jeral, we will likely be a tenday to Beregost and back. If the drow is here when I return, I will kill her. Her and any who foolishly attempt to stop me. To the rest of you, I leave at first light on the morrow. I will meet you at the gate at that time."
"You may try Helmite." Viconia replied in a sweet mocking tone of voice.
Ajantis ignored her mocking reply and pushed back from the table, his chair scraping on the floor of the inn, and stalked off. The rest of the party ate in a tension filled silence. After wolfing down his lunch Jeral departed and returned to his room to study the mage scrolls they discovered in the bandit camp. A gentle knock on the door broke his concentration. Sighing heavily Jeral called for the person to come in. Imoen shyly walked into the room and sat down on Jeral's bed.
"So what cha doin?"
"Trying to make sense of these scrolls. I can use these since I can cast spells from scrolls while wearing armor. You see, enchanted scrolls pull their energy from the magic imbued in the scroll vice my own energies."
Imoen rolled her eyes and made a face.
"Well no kidding O mighty bardling. I sat through Gorion's classes too, remember?" Seeing the pall fall over Jeral's features, Imoen's heart fell. "Jeral, I am so sorry to bring that up, you know I did not mean to remind you."
"It's ok. What happened, happened. I no longer dream of it every night. In fact as crazy as it sounds I wish I did."
"How can you mean that?"
"Well I am having these really weird dreams. Last night I was in a dream where I strode through the bandit camp slaying every last bandit single handed. There was blood and death everywhere and I loved it. The blood and destruction called to me. In the dream I was called a conqueror. It made little sense, but it felt so real."
Imoen shuddered and walked over to giver Jeral a hug. Looking to lighten the mood she looked at the scrolls on the table.
"Ohhhh, that one is blindness. Ummmm, that one is called prismatic spray. How bout that one?"
"That one is called Agannazar's Scorcher, it fires out a jet of flame at a point target. Imoen, I am impressed. When did you learn to read magic?"
"Well Dynaheir is teaching me a bit, but I have to tell you. It just comes easy. Before in Candlekeep I would study and study and nothing happened, I just could not fgure it out. Now I can sometimes look at a scroll and suddenly I just understand it. Somehow the runes just speak to me and make sense."
"I am impressed."
"Well sure it is impressive, I am impressive." Imown twirled in a circle and took a mock bow.
"But to be honest, I am stunned. I have no idea how is comes so easy. Magic is supposed to take years and years of study and practice and I feel I am learning it way too fast."
Shrugging her shoulders she stood up and patted Jeral on the top of his head.
"OK enough introspection. I am gonna get ready for my trip tomorrow. Dynaheir is going to make me her apprentice so I can really start learning some of this stuff. See you in a ten day. I will tell Garrick you say hi."
Imoen kissed his forhead and skipped out of the room. Jeral chuckled silently and returned to his scrolls. He called for dinner delivered to his room and spent the rest of the evening immersed in magical study. Unlike Imoen Jeral had to learn magic through rigorous study and sheer persistence.
Day 34
"Good morning Viconia."
"Good morning male."
"Uh, the name is Jeral. We do not have an audience. No need to be so snippy."
The drow sighed heavily.
"Very well. Good morning Jeral. Did you sleep well. Was your visit to the privy this morning satisfactory?"
"Um, ok maybe forget about being nice. Apparently it does not suit you."
"Your surface ways and social conventions are beyond tiresome. For the drow nothing matters but status and power. We command the lesser and grovel before our betters until we can steal advantage. Why waste time with unnecessary pleasantries?"
"Now that sounds tiresome." Looking to change the subject Jeral continued, "I plan to test out this bow today and do some shopping, what are your plans?"
"I plan to leave on the morrow."
Jeral could only stammer out a response. "Wait, What? You, you are leaving? Why?"
"Jeral you know as well as I do that two of your companions will not accept me. The Helmite and that harridan of a mage both eye me like I am a threat. If I remain with this group there will be violence. And while I could assuredly kill one of them killing both at once is likely beyond my means at this time. The mountain of the man with the rodent follows the mage so that makes three opposed to my presence if it comes to violence."
"Well I am on your side. You saved my life." Viconia snorted at Jeral's comment.
"Yes I did save your life, but that was repaying a debt. By taking me into your group you saved my life and you and Minsc saved me from the mercenary when I was at my weakest. For that you will always have an ally in me when you call. You are only the second person to ever save my life or show me real kindness."
The pain that washed over the drow's face told Jeral to not ask who the other person was.
"Well there you have it you can't leave. I am the leader of this group and we have need of a healer. Besides Imoen likes you as well." Viconia's snort gave lie to his words.
"Jeral, you are a foolish male. Your hold on leadership is tenuous at best. Look at yourself and then look at your companions. Ajantis and Minsc are able heavily armed and armored warriors who handle the bulk of the close combat. Dynaheir, despite her dour personality, is an excellent mage. Your dear sister Imoen admittedly grows on me and she is an adequate archer as well as a solid rogue, at least where locks and traps are concerned. It is clear that her love of color and youthful impateience make her ill suited to stealth. So that brings us to you. You are the third best fighter here and the second best mage. Your command of tactics is commendable and your archery skills are without equal but I am not sure that is enough."
Viconia paused for a moment before continuing. "You are handsome for a surfacer and many seem willing to follow you, but only to a point. If you take a stand over me you will lose and I will die. So I must leave. Perhaps someday you will be powerful enough to impose your will on others. The gnome innkeeper has aided me with my travel plans, I leave early on the morrow." Viconia pushed back from the table gracefully and strode for the stairs. Jeral watched her go and realized that he was going to miss her.
After a pleasing afternoon of archery practice Jeral entered the common room of the inn ready for dinner alone. To his pleasant surprise he saw Viconia sitting with the proprietor of the inn at a table by the hearth. Striding over Jeral sat down with a smile. "Good evening you two." Bentley returned the smile while Viconia did not.
"Ahhhhh Master Jeral, good eve to you as well you sir. I saw you out in the courtyard with that bow of yours. That was very impressive shooting. You took quite a few coppers from the guards." Jeral blushed and hung his head.
"Yes well I hope you also noticed that I gave the money back. I could not keep it in good conscience. I was shooting with an enchanted bow and enchanted bracers. There was no way I could lose. The bow is newly won so I wanted to see how my aim had improved."
"Well I have rarely seen better, except amongst the most able of the elven races, you are more than proficient. Your lovely companion and I were just educating one another."
"Really, how so? What do a gnome and a dark elf have in common?"
"We have little in common other than the desire for knowledge. She is educating me about the deep gnomes, my distant kinsmen of the underdark, while I am educating her on the ways of the surface, and of my people."
"And I must say you have been quite generous with your time. I may honestly say I have never had a real conversation with one of your kind. The gnomes of my home would never dare to speak with me in this manner."
Bentley chuckled and pushed himself to his feet. I will get the two of you some dinner. With a bow he excused himself and strode towards the kitchens.
"So archer, this enchanted long bow of yours, is it of elven make?"
"Surprisingly no. From reading the runes on the bow it is of human make, and it is called the Dead Shot. It is a few centuries old based on the ancient varients of languages inscribed in the runes."
"How appropriate that an ancient human enchanted bow comes to one who has studied history his entire life. Well use it well; I suspect your road will get more dangerous as you and Imoen continue." Their dinner arrived and the two tucked into roasted quail stuffed with cheese and dates. Bentley dropped off a bottle of red wine with two silver inlaid glasses.
Winking at Viconia he walked off.
"Well you seem to have a new friend."
Viconia just shrugged and poured herself a glass of wine.
"He is a learned man starved for intelligent conversation. Few surfacers know anything of the Underdark so he was appreciative of our conversation. This is how an innkeeper expresses his thanks."
Jeral poured himself a glass of wine. It was sweet and had an excellent nose. Jeral took a sip and savored it. "This is a very nice bottle of wine."
"As I said, he was appreciative and he has amassed a very nice wine cellar over the years. So tell me how you came to be on the road. Imoen mentioned this life was thrust upon you recently."
"A little over a month ago I had never walked the groud outside of Candlekeep. I lived a sheltered life."
"What changed for you surfacer? Why would you and Imoen leave a quiet sheltered existence? Youthful desire for adventure does not seem appropriate in this case." Jeral drained his glass and poured himself another before he continued. Twirling the wine around in the glass he marveled at the rich red liquid. The color of so many things. Shaking out of his reverie he responded with only one word.
"Everything."
Day 35
Jeral groaned as he rolled over in bed. The sun streamed in through the cracks in the shutters causing Jeral's head to scream in pain. As he rolled over in bed his right hand brushed against the blankets and a jolt of pain wracked his body. Looking down he saw that three of his fingers were horribly broken and pointing in wholly unnatural directions.
Well that was a hell of a last night with Viconia.
Gritting his teeth Jeral forced one finger, then a second back into their correct position. Sweating from the exertion, and his hangover, Jeral forced the third back into place. He then cleared his mind and focused on his hand. A cool wave of energy washed over his hand and the swollen, battered joints, quickly looked good as new. He also smiled as his hangover had pushed back into a dull ache. Sitting up in bed Jeral tossed aside the rumpled covers and sat up. As Jeral stretched he noticed a folded piece of parchment sitting on the floor, clearly slid under the door by someone out in the hallway. Jeral walked over and picked up the note. Written neatly in a tight compact hand the note was signed by Viconia. After taking a deep breath to compose himself Jeral started to read.
Archer,
I wanted to again thank you for saving my life. Not too many on the
surface would go out of their way to aid one such as me. With the funds
you provided me I plan to settle down somewhere to the South of here.
Bentley recommended some contacts in the City of Coin. Once I reach the city I
may purchase a small homestead and try to get comfortable with life on the surface.
I owe you one last gift. There is something quite unusual about you. I
normally find surface males to be quite boring and lacking in any form
of charisma. You, at least in my limited experience with surface males,
are unique. There is an aura about you, I cannot explain it but it is there.
I find myself drawn to you for reasons I cannot explain. You are no ordinary
male and I suspect your life will not be a quiet one. It is likely the ones
menacing you also see something in you that causes them concern.
For that reason, that attraction I have towards you, I spared your
life last night after your drunken groping. Your roaming hand was
dealt with far more gently than I would have done normally. I granted you the
pleasure of a single kiss as a farewell guesture. You incorrectly took a liberty
to go beyond that where none was granted. Do not make that mistake again.
You may someday experience all of the pleasures I have to offer, but that is
for the future.
Despite it all I do hope we meet again Jeral.
V
Jeral read through the letter once and then again savoring every word. Smiling he enchanted the paper to repel water and resist tearing before he folded it up and tucked in his coin purse. He was going to miss the drow and felt affection for her stronger than any he had experienced previously. Perhaps not love but definitely closer than anything previously.
Day 42
"Good morning to you Jeral. So is today much like every day for your past week?"
"Smiling Jeral looked up from his breakfast and nodded at the innkeeper. "Absolutely my good man. Sparring with your guards in the morning, then some archery practice, then back to my scrolls and spell books. Then a nice bath and one of your excellent feats for dinner. My friends should return in the next day or two so I must make the most of the time I have to improve my skills. I have also visited yout lovely wife in the temple and purchased a good number of healing potions and potions to counteract poison as well."
"Well you fight well from what I hear. You can best any save the captain of the guards. So you are clearly a swordsman of some skill."
"Well Bredak beat me pretty easily so I have a lot to lear.n but I am appreciative that he and the rest of the guards let me train with them."
"Ah, think nothing of it, they always love facing a new challenge in training. In addition to sword play and archery you are also a man with other talents. Let us not forget your musical skills. You are playing music on the roof late into the night. You play well, why don't you play for the guests one evening?"
"Thank you for the complement Bentley but it's private, I play for me."
"Well I will not press the matter but I will say the guests on the upper floors all love the music. They think I have provided it specificially for them."
"Well I see no reason to correct them of that notion. I find the music relaxes me, when I take the time to play I manage to sleep better. Nothing troubles my dreams when I spend some time playing music
"So, if you do not mind me asking, where are you headed next? When your friends return I mean."
"We are headed into the Cloakwood Forest in search of a secret iron mine run by the people trying to kill me."
"That forest is huge, you could wander in there for months and never find anything."
"We will be fine, we found a rough map in the bandit camp so that should aid us in our navigation."
"Well good luck to you my boy, for many venture into the Cloakwood, but few come out. Rumors persist of giant spiders and other foul creaturs ready to feed on those who cross their path."